Saturday, April 29, 1865
The entire brigade went out on a scout today. They found a few confederate soldiers who gladly surrendered. They also found some cattle and sheep, and then returned to their camp on the evening of the 30th.
Wednesday, April 26, 1865
This morning the 77th Illinois, along with the rest of the 1st Brigade packed their knapsacks and marched ten miles up the Tombigbee River. They followed the 2nd and 3rd Brigades who made the same trek yesterday. They went into camp at McIntosh Bluffs and fixed up their quarters in grand style.
The stars and stripes were raised on an 80 foot pole. Many of the local residents realized the end of the war was near. They approached the Union armies to take an oath of allegiance and ask for protection.
The war was substantially over, and there were no hard campaigns in the future. There was nothing left for the soldiers to do but wait for the government to muster them out. For now the soldiers were having fun.
The stars and stripes were raised on an 80 foot pole. Many of the local residents realized the end of the war was near. They approached the Union armies to take an oath of allegiance and ask for protection.
The war was substantially over, and there were no hard campaigns in the future. There was nothing left for the soldiers to do but wait for the government to muster them out. For now the soldiers were having fun.
Sunday, April 23, 1865
While camped here they learned of President Lincoln's assassination. It was terrible news to the soldiers, and the first impulse of every man seemed to be a desire to in some way to avenge the President's death. The news was especially hard on the soldiers from Illinois, who shared a special bond with the President from central Illinois.
Charles Johnson summed up the feelings of the boys from Illinois:
Had the enemy been in our immediate front in battle array there is no question but at this period the Union soldiers would have fought with unusual determination;
Friday, April 21, 1865
The brigade that included the 77th Illinois marched in front today. It began raining early this morning and continued most of the day. They passed through Mt. Vernon, Alabama where the U.S. Arsenal is located. William Fleming noted,
it is a beautiful location and is surrounded by a brick wall 8 or 10 ft high and has a number of fine goverment bildings in itThey marched 10 miles and went into camp on the Tombigbee River near the residence of Confederate General Van Dorn. He had been killed earlier in the war and was buried on a beautiful mound on the west side of the home.
Thursday, April 20, 1865
It was another warm day and the men from Illinois marched about 15 miles. They waded through the sloughs and streams they encountered to get across them.
Wednesday, April 19, 1865
The 77th Illinois received orders today and marched off toward the northeast. They left the 28th Illinois to guard Whistler Station. They marched about 12 miles and went into camp.
It was a very warm day, as William Fleming recalled:
It was a very warm day, as William Fleming recalled:
the boys divested themselves of all clothing they could spare the ground was strewed with blankets and shirts drawers, &c
Monday, April 17, 1865
The 21st and 26th New York
Batteries each fired one hundred guns today in honor of the great victories achieved
by Grant and Sherman in the east. Rumors were also circulating that the
Trans-Mississippi Army had surrendered. The Union soldiers were quite jubilant over all of the good news.
Saturday, April 15, 1865
President Abraham Lincoln died this morning after being shot at Ford's Theater last night. William Fleming and the other Illinois soldiers would not hear about this for a week.
Thursday, April 13, 1865
The 3rd Division was ordered to march up the Tombigbee River to Whistler Station about 6 miles northeast of the city on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. The Union troops marched through the city and crowds of people of all ages came out to see them.
After leaving the city the soldiers were allowed to forage for food, including cattle, geese, turkeys, and chickens. And so many foraging parties went out along the route and were able to collect a bounty of live animals that would help sustain the soldiers.
They reached Whistler Station about 1 o'clock this afternoon. The advanced units found some Confederates there who had set fire to the buildings and were tearing up the machine shops and burning bridges. They were driven beyond Eight Mile Creek, where they joined a force of about 500 cavalry.
As the rest of the Union Army came up, they dropped their knapsacks and double-timed for the front. A brisk fight ensured, but the cavalry was too quick and made their escape. Casualties on both sides were minimal. This would be the final engagement the 77th Illinois fought in the Civil War.
They Union soldiers camped around Whistler Station for the next several days.
After leaving the city the soldiers were allowed to forage for food, including cattle, geese, turkeys, and chickens. And so many foraging parties went out along the route and were able to collect a bounty of live animals that would help sustain the soldiers.
They reached Whistler Station about 1 o'clock this afternoon. The advanced units found some Confederates there who had set fire to the buildings and were tearing up the machine shops and burning bridges. They were driven beyond Eight Mile Creek, where they joined a force of about 500 cavalry.
As the rest of the Union Army came up, they dropped their knapsacks and double-timed for the front. A brisk fight ensured, but the cavalry was too quick and made their escape. Casualties on both sides were minimal. This would be the final engagement the 77th Illinois fought in the Civil War.
They Union soldiers camped around Whistler Station for the next several days.
Wednesday, April 12, 1865
The next morning all the vessels moved across to Cat Fish Point, five miles below Mobile, and landed at the Magnolia Race Course. The troops disembarked and began to march up the bay to the city. They found abandoned and evacuated forts along the way.
The Union command sent a message to the mayor of Mobile asking for his unconditional surrender. He replied that , since the Confederate Army had left the city, it he was in charge and would agree to their demands.
The Union Army marched into the city and took possession and planted the Stars and Stripes in the city and over all of the ir fortifications.
The Union command sent a message to the mayor of Mobile asking for his unconditional surrender. He replied that , since the Confederate Army had left the city, it he was in charge and would agree to their demands.
The Union Army marched into the city and took possession and planted the Stars and Stripes in the city and over all of the ir fortifications.
Tuesday, April 11, 1865
As all the works guarding the approaches to the city of Mobile were now in the possession of the Union Army. The confederates had little reason to ammunition or additional lives on the defense of the city. In fact, soon after the fall of Fort Blakeley, the Confederate soldiers began to evacuate the city.
About 1 o'clock today the 77th Illinois marched back to Spanish Fort. They had just laid down to rest when the were roused with the command to fall in. As darkness fell, they marched about six miles and came to Stark's Landing.
Transport boats were waiting and the soldiers began to embark immediately. As each vessel was loaded, it pushed off from the pier and anchored in the bay.
About 1 o'clock today the 77th Illinois marched back to Spanish Fort. They had just laid down to rest when the were roused with the command to fall in. As darkness fell, they marched about six miles and came to Stark's Landing.
Transport boats were waiting and the soldiers began to embark immediately. As each vessel was loaded, it pushed off from the pier and anchored in the bay.
Monday, April 10, 1865
The Union Army spent th eday burying the dead. They also took a detail of Confederate soldiers to dig up the torpedoes (land mines) that had been buried around the fort.
Sunday, April 9, 1865
Today was a hot, sultry spring day. The Union troops had little time to enjoy last night's victory, as they began to march the 10 miles to the northeast to reinforce General Steele's attacking force at Fort Blakeley. Fearing the works would be evacuated by night, General Steele prepared for an assault this afternoon.
On their march to Blakeley, the 77th Illinois was misdirected down a wrong road. They were forced to turn around and retrace their steps. They arrived at Fort Blakely about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, too late to take part in the assault. They were held in reserve, along with the entire 3rd Division.
On their march to Blakeley, the 77th Illinois was misdirected down a wrong road. They were forced to turn around and retrace their steps. They arrived at Fort Blakely about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, too late to take part in the assault. They were held in reserve, along with the entire 3rd Division.
At five o'clock the Union batteries began their work. Then the infantry poured in destructive volleys of musketry. Soon after a loud cheer came from the center, another from the left and then another from the right, indicating the points where the works had been successfully stormed. The conflict was short and the victory complete.
The Union casualties were not heavy - 113 deaths and 516 wounded. Many of the casualties were caused by mines that had been planted around the works and for one or two miles along the road leading to the fort.
The Battle of Fort Blakely was the final major infantry battle of the Civil War. The entire Mobile campaign resulted in the capture of the enemy works at Spanish Fort and Blakely, the surrender of Mobile, the capture of more than 5,000 prisoners, nearly 300 pieces of artillery, several thousand pieces of small arms, and large stores of ammunition. However, these would soon prove to be unimportant as the war was almost over.
Earlier today General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The Union troops in Mobile would not learn about it for several days.
Saturday, April 8, 1865
This morning the whole Union line of artillery opened up on the forts. The kept up the barrage all day.
During the day the Union army planted several more heavy siege guns and motors. At 5 o'clock the new guns opened fire and Union troops reinforced their skirmish lines.
They kept up the intense fire for several hours. About 11 o'clock the Union troops charged the Confederate rifle pits and captured 600 prisoners.
They made their way on to the fort but found it evacuated. The Union troops captured about 40 cannons and plenty of ammunition. Along with other Confederates captured throughout the siege over the past several days, the Union army had captured about 1,000 prisoners in all.
During the day the Union army planted several more heavy siege guns and motors. At 5 o'clock the new guns opened fire and Union troops reinforced their skirmish lines.
They kept up the intense fire for several hours. About 11 o'clock the Union troops charged the Confederate rifle pits and captured 600 prisoners.
They made their way on to the fort but found it evacuated. The Union troops captured about 40 cannons and plenty of ammunition. Along with other Confederates captured throughout the siege over the past several days, the Union army had captured about 1,000 prisoners in all.
Friday, April 7, 1865
Most of the day was fairly quiet. Only one or two of the Union batteries were engaged, and they only shot at intervals. The Confederates responded with the same vigor.
As the day wore on, the firing on the skirmish line gained intensity. About 7 o'clock in the evening the Confederates made a charge on the Union skirmish line, but they were repulsed and suffered several casualties.
The Union was able to advance their rifle pits again, and now were within easy range of the fort. That also means the Union troops were within easy range of the Confederate guns in the fort.
As the day wore on, the firing on the skirmish line gained intensity. About 7 o'clock in the evening the Confederates made a charge on the Union skirmish line, but they were repulsed and suffered several casualties.
The Union was able to advance their rifle pits again, and now were within easy range of the fort. That also means the Union troops were within easy range of the Confederate guns in the fort.
Thursday, April 6, 1865
William Fleming was sent out on the skirmish line today and he remained there until tomorrow afternoon. He saw plenty of Confederate soldiers,
and had the pleasure of exchanging several shots with themOver the past several nights the Union troops had been advancing their rifle pits to the point where they were very close. William Fleming remembered,
being only 75 yds apart our boys would hollow over to them and ask them a great many foolish questions and the Rebs was very free to answer
Wednesday, April 5, 1865
The siege on Spanish Fort continued today, according to William Fleming.
all seems quiet to day except on the skirmish line they keep up a brisk fire and the mortar batteries on our right and left throwing in a shell occasionly
Tuesday, April 4, 1865
For most of the morning and early afternoon everything was quiet except for a Union motor battery on the right and the left that each threw shells into Spanish Fort all day.
At 5 o'clock things changed, as nearly all of the Union artillery was engaged. The bombardment lasted two hours. It was a continuous roar that shook the earth under the feet of the Union soldiers.
After the cannonading ended, there was a large work detail made from every regiment. The detail was sent to work on the artillery fort they had worked on the previous nights.
William Fleming reported the Confederate army was much more aggressive in their efforts to stop the work of the detail.
At 5 o'clock things changed, as nearly all of the Union artillery was engaged. The bombardment lasted two hours. It was a continuous roar that shook the earth under the feet of the Union soldiers.
After the cannonading ended, there was a large work detail made from every regiment. The detail was sent to work on the artillery fort they had worked on the previous nights.
William Fleming reported the Confederate army was much more aggressive in their efforts to stop the work of the detail.
but we had only got to work when the rebels sent a few shells among us in order to drive us away but they failed we would watch the shells and dodge them but there was some unfortunate and came in collion with there shells and one man got killed and two others wounded and we were relieved at one oclock by another detail
Monday, April 3, 1865
There was nothing unusual today. There were large details of Union soldiers working at different places planting their artillery. They had several batteries of the 1st Pennsylvania heavy artillery ready for action.
Sunday, April 2, 1865
There was an unusual quiet all along the lines today. There was no cannonading from either side, and very little firing on the skirmish line.
William Fleming was on a detail that worked all night building a small fort to protect heavy artillery that was brought forward. The fort was likely an earth and fallen log berm. The Union artillery was need to fire on a Confederate battery that had been annoying the northerners.
William Fleming noted the detail was not bothered too much by the Confederates.
William Fleming was on a detail that worked all night building a small fort to protect heavy artillery that was brought forward. The fort was likely an earth and fallen log berm. The Union artillery was need to fire on a Confederate battery that had been annoying the northerners.
William Fleming noted the detail was not bothered too much by the Confederates.
the rebs were very peaceful only threw two shells at us while we were at work
Saturday, April 1, 1865
There was about the same amount of annonading today as yesterday. The Union mortars were throwing shells and exploding them in the Confederate fort, but they could not tell how much damage was done.
There was also plenty of firing on the skirmish line, with soldiers wounded on both sides.
William Fleming reported the Union dug their rifle pits and they have them within 150 yards of the Confederate rifle pits. They are so close...
There was also plenty of firing on the skirmish line, with soldiers wounded on both sides.
William Fleming reported the Union dug their rifle pits and they have them within 150 yards of the Confederate rifle pits. They are so close...
we are situated so that we can hold corispondence with each other and the the rebs and our boys gets off good many jokes on each other by hollowing back and forward
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